Tenants rights following a warrant of possession?

I had exactly the same situation.

I didn’t let the tenant back in and we put everything outside for her to collect at an agreed time.

She was not allowed back in and had to collect from outside of the property.

I found that worked for me as I feared the same as you do.

Ray

There are no “squatters rights” in residential properties anymore, they can & should be evicted by police immediately as its a crime.

As above arrange a date & time & put belongings outside so not even any need for them to enter property.

Alternative maybe to photo condition and move to storage if you want to immediately relet , and charge for storage space . I have done that several time and found that they have decided not to collect as having to pay the fees ! The issue then is paying for disposal of their items . I understand under a consumer act you need to retain items for 28 days before disposal , The threat of charges for removal to storage and storage may speed them up in collection

I know that you are all correct in what you say about tenant’s belongs, however, up to now I have respected the law to the letter, it has taken 11 months but finally the bailiffs will be coming very soon.My tenant is a single working man, he has had so much notice, including a court hearing when the judge told him in no uncertain terms, ‘you have to move out Mr ,,,’. and time to move out his things out. I live in Spain, will have to travel over to be there on that day. When the bailiffs arrive and open the door, I can expect anything from a clean and tidy flat to a place full of furniture, personal belongs and rubbish, I think the latter is more likely!! At that stage I will have to make a decision as to how to proceed so that I can prepare the property for selling. At that time, I will have to pay for flights and travel and stay in a hotel. Do you think I should wait 14+ days for the tenant to remove his things? If I give him four days (that will extend over a weekend) that should be enough time for him to make the arrangement and get the stuff moved. If he has a problem because I have moved/thrown/destroyed his things, after giving him proper notice, he can always sue me, can’t he?

Reply to the comment left by John Mac at 28/11/2023 – 09:50
Police don’t get involved in ‘civil’ actions [they don’t get involved in much ‘criminal’ activity!]. You would be back to arranging bailiffs again.

Reply to the comment left by Marie Lee at 28/11/2023 – 10:04
You are confusing the OP post, start a new thread!

Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 28/11/2023 – 10:06

Squatting in a residential property is not a “civil” action, its now criminal.

The perps can be arrested, fined & sent to prison!

We had previously done what a lot of people are saying and had put everything outside. Nothing was damaged at all but the tenants later tried to sue us for over £2k saying we had damaged their tv etc when moving it so just be careful.

Reply to the comment left by Marie Lee at 28/11/2023 – 10:04
That’s going to be quite an expense Marie apart from the stress involved.

Does anyone if those expenses can be offset against tax?

Reply to the comment left by John Mac at 28/11/2023 – 10:09It may be an offence, but unless they are ‘trespassing’, as opposed to ‘squatting’, the Police won’t want to get involved, and you will be back down the County Court eviction path.

You really must do everything possible to prevent them re-entering. Start by changing locks and ensuring all windows are closed.